Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-06-12

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12 JUNE 1998

CONTENTS

[01] DONATION OF 5.5 MILLION US DOLLARS FROM TURKEY TO GEORGIA

[02] NATIONAL DAY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION - PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS A MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATION TO RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN

[03] MAY DAY INCIDENTS CASE - 31 OF 49 ARRESTED SUSPECTS RELEASED

[04] THE DRAFT RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS - MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENT MEET WITH THE SENIOR FRENCH OFFICIALS

[05] ''PROBLEM OF IMMIGRATION PROCESS'' MEETING IN GERMANY - ''IDENTITY PROBLEM OF TURKISH IMMIGRANTS'' DISCUSSED DURING THE MEETING

[06] NATO DEFENCE MINISTERS' MEETING - SEZGIN, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF DEFENCE: - ''URGENT AIR MANOEUVRES WILL BE HELD IN ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA'' - ''TURKISH PEOPLE LIVING IN KOSOVO SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE SOLUTION CONSULTATIONS''

[07] UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON CYPRUS ISSUED - KOFI ANNAN: ''SIDES ON CYPRUS DON'T LISTEN TO SECURITY COUNCIL''

[08] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[10] CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES - PENTAGON WELCOMES AGREEMENT IN THE AEGEAN

[11] BILATERAL CONTACTS OF ISMET SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF DEFENCE, IN BRUSSELS

[12] ALLEGATIONS THAT PIECES OF THE S-300 MISSILE ARE INSTALLED - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''WE HAVEN'T RECIEVED INFORMATION''

[13] TURKEY TO BECOME HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF THE NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE

[14] HIKMET CETIN, SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT IN SWEDEN - CETIN MEETS WITH HIS SWEDISH COUNTERPART BRIGIDDA DAHL

[15] SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF DEFENCE, RETURNS TO TURKEY - SEZGIN: - ''TURKEY HAS SPECIAL CONCERN FOR THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BALKANS''

[16] UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON CYPRUS - PLUMER: ''GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE'S LIES ARE DISCOVERED''

[17] 56 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN UZUNKOPRU

[18] DANISH HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN TURKEY - ''WE ARE DEEPLY SORRY ABOUT THE ARMED ATTACK ON AKIN BIRDAL''

[19] NATO-PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE MANEUVER - COOPERATIVE PARTNER-98 MANEUVER TO BE REALIZED IN WESTERN BLACK SEA

[20] LOAN FROM THE WORLD BANK TO TURKEY - THE LOAN OF 270 MILLION US DOLLARS WILL BE USED TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE ELECTRICITY NETWORK

[21] BASESGIOGLU, MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR RETURNS TO TURKEY - ''TURKEY RECORDED SUCCESS IN STRUGGLE AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING''

[01] DONATION OF 5.5 MILLION US DOLLARS FROM TURKEY TO GEORGIA

Addressing the joint press conference, Baspinar pointed out that Turkey wants to see a strong Georgian Armed Forces.

Pirtshalaisvili noted that Turkey's donation to his country has an historical importance for the military cooperation between Turkey and Georgia.

Baspinar held talks with the senior officials of the Georgian Armed Forces after the press conference. He also visited the Turkish Education Department of the Georgian War Academy.

[02] NATIONAL DAY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION - PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS A MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATION TO RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN

According to the Presidential Press Center, Demirel said in his message, ''I sincerely congratulate the National Day of the Russian Federation on behalf of the Turkish people. I believe that our determination will help to improve the good neighbourhood relations between Turkey and Russia that depend on mutual respect and friendship. The good relations between our nations will contribute to the peace, stability and welfare in the region.''

[03] MAY DAY INCIDENTS CASE - 31 OF 49 ARRESTED SUSPECTS RELEASED

During the trial the arrested people didn't accept the crimes, adding that they went to watch the demonstration on May 1 and defended that they didn't participate in the illegal demonstration.

The Judge of the court decided for the release of 31 suspects and that 18 others should remain under arrest.

The indictment prepared by the Sisli Republic Chief Prosecutor's Office said that the terrorists of the illegal extreme left organization didn't enter into the demonstration square and wanted to stage an alternative demonstration march. They put red masks and cloths on their faces and wore one type of uniform.

The indictment said that this group made preparations to provoke incidents and opened banners in response to the call from police to disband. It said this group threw stones and sticks in response to the warnings of the security forces.

[04] THE DRAFT RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS - MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENT MEET WITH THE SENIOR FRENCH OFFICIALS

Hasan Tartan, the Izmir Deputy from the Democratic Left Party (DSP), Mustafa Karslioglu, the Bolu Deputy from the DSP and Kemal Albayrak, the Kirikkale Deputy from the Virtue Party (FP) took part in the delegation lead by Mumtaz Sosyal, the Zonguldak Deputy from the DSP.

The members of the delegation emphasized that the mentioned draft resolution will damage the good relations between Turkey and France and requested the French Senate to reject it.

Rene Monory said that the draft resolution isn't on the agenda of the French Senate for the time being, and it isn't expected to come onto the agenda until October. He also stressed that France gives great importance to her relations with Turkey.

The delegation pointed out, ''according to Article 41 of the French Constitution, the power for the determination of foreign policy is belonging to the government. Therefore, it is contrary to the French Constitution that the French Parliament adopts a draft resolution which can have a direct impact on foreign policy''.

After the meeting with Monory, the Turkish delegation came together with Jean David Levitte, the French Foreign Policy Adviser to President Jacques Chirac. It was reported that the meeting also focused on the draft resolution concerning the so-called genocide on Armenians that was adopted by the French Parliament.

Meanwhile, reactions caused by the mentioned draft resolution continue in Turkey. The Seyhan Municipality Assembly and Anadolu University Senate condemned the French Parliament for adopting in France the draft resolution foreseeing the recognition of the so-called genocide on Armenians.

[05] ''PROBLEM OF IMMIGRATION PROCESS'' MEETING IN GERMANY - ''IDENTITY PROBLEM OF TURKISH IMMIGRANTS'' DISCUSSED DURING THE MEETING

Faruk Sen, the Director of the Turkish Research Center and author Zafer Senocak participated at the meeting which took place under the leadership of German author Seidel Piellen.

Briefing about the general situation of Turkish citizens living in Germany, Sen stressed that the Turkish immigrants may overcome the identity problem by making successful studies in the political and social fields.

Sen said that the process of Turkish immigrants becoming German citizens should be accelerated and that this will contribute to their adjustment in Germany.

Author Zafer Senocak said ''our attention has always turned to policy in Turkey. Since they aren't giving us many things, we should turn our attention to Germany and make them accept us.''

[06] NATO DEFENCE MINISTERS' MEETING - SEZGIN, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF DEFENCE: - ''URGENT AIR MANOEUVRES WILL BE HELD IN ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA'' - ''TURKISH PEOPLE LIVING IN KOSOVO SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE SOLUTION CONSULTATIONS''

Pointing out that the Turkish people and the other ethnic groups living in Kosovo should also be represented at the solution consultations along with the Albanians and Serbians, Sezgin noted that Turkey believes that the NATO has a great responsibility for taking the Kosovo crisis under control.

Sezgin stressed, ''Turkey as a Balkan country, is concerned with the developments in Kosovo. We don't want to let Kosovo become a second Bosnia. Therefore Turkey, as a powerful ally of the NATO, will join the activities that will held by the NATO.'' He added that Turkey is ready to fulfill her responsibilities.

Ismet Sezgin emphasized that the solution should be based on the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the principles of the United Nations and the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

[07] UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON CYPRUS ISSUED - KOFI ANNAN: ''SIDES ON CYPRUS DON'T LISTEN TO SECURITY COUNCIL''

Annan sent his report to the Council Chairmanship proposing the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) be extended until Dec 31, 1998.

In the report, Annan pointed out that both sides on the island abided by the ceasefire agreement, adding ''the implementation to increase and modernize the number of military units and weapons continues. The sides ignored the measures proposed by the UNFICYP to reduce tension.''

Annan said ''the existence of the UNFICYP on the island is indispensable for the consolidation of the ceasefire. The maintenance of the ceasefire is vitally important for bringing a solution to the Cyprus question as the international community foresaw.''

The Secretary General said they were in contact with the sides on the issue, adding that he would convey the results of his contacts in a separate report to the Security Council.

[08] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.)

CETIN IN SWEDEN
Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, who has gone to Stockholm, Sweden, to attend a Conference of Speakers of the European Parliaments, met with Lena Hjelm Wallen, the Swedish Foreign Minister and Anders Bjorck, the First Deputy Speaker of the Swedish Parliament. In a statement to journalists about his meetings, Cetin noted that they had talked about the Turco-EU relations and the difficulties being encountered in these relations. /Cumhuriyet/

BASESGIOGLU ATTENDS PANEL MEETING IN NEW YORK
Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of the Interior, said that drugs seized in Turkey constituted 60 percent of those seized in Europe and 40 percent of those seized in the whole world. Basesgioglu, who recently represented Turkey at a UN summit in New York for the struggle against drugs, attended a panel meeting organized by the American-Turkish Journalists' Association. He noted that the PKK terrorist organization had a huge network, which included narcotics trafficking in Europe and said that in recent months the PKK had also been involved in illegal refugee movements to the European countries. Basesgioglu stressed that narcotics trafficking and terrorism were closely connected to each other and he blamed the Western countries for not revealing information about those involved in drug trafficking in the European countries. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY VOLUNTEERS AS KOSOVO LINK
Turkey has stated that she will contribute to a NATO intervention if the Kosovo problem isn't solved through dialogue. Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, sent a letter to the term-president of the Western Contact Group (WCG) and British Foreign Minister Robin Cook and proposed that a communications mechanism should be established between the WCG and regional countries. A WCG meeting will be held in London today. Meanwhile, Ambassador Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, held a press conference yesterday and recalled that the defense ministers of the NATO countries had convened in Brussels to review the Kosovo problem and discuss the issue of military intervention.

Utkan said, ''we have expressed our desire to establish a mechanism that will provide a powerful flow of information and that this view of ours, as well as the outcome of the Istanbul meeting concerning Kosovo, be presented also to the other ministers of the Contact Group''. He also noted that the clause concerning Kosovo couldn't be put into the final declaration of the Istanbul meeting, 'due to the objections of the Yugoslav delegation at the meeting and which have been announced under the title of the Chairman's Summary' ''. /All papers/

RUSSIA STARTS SHIPPING THE S-300 MISSILES TO CYPRUS
According to high level diplomatic and military sources in Ankara, Russia has started transferring the S-300 missiles to the Greek Cypriot Administration. Three delegations of Russian military experts arrived on Cyprus to prepare the bases for the missiles, including the control panels and five radar equipment, sent to the island as the first step. Russia has transported the supplies via a number of ships which were interchanged at several Mediterranean ports. /Hurriyet/

FOREIGN MINISTRY RECEIVES FRENCH MESSAGES CAUTIOUSLY
Speaking during his weekly press conference, Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said yesterday that his ministry had doubts about the French messages which declared that a draft resolution about an alleged massacre of Armenians by Turks during World War I, will not be brought onto the agenda of the French Senate. Utkan also declared that all the agreements with French firms slated to sell defence equipment to Turkey had been suspended following the approval of the draft resolution in the French Parliament.

Also reacting against the draft resolution is the Union of Turkish Associations in France which declared yesterday that its members will march at the Invalides Square, Paris, on June 20 to protest the draft resolution. /Hurriyet/

[09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.)

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES UP
The Central Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by 656 million US dollars last week and reached over 26 billion US dollars, setting a new record. /Hurriyet/

THE WORLD BANK EXTENDS CREDIT FOR DISASTER AREA
In a letter to Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, James D. Wolfenson, the President of the World Bank, states that the bank plans to extend 100 miilion US dollars in credit to help relieve people in the Western Black Sea region where a devastating flood occurred in May. /Hurriyet/

ITALIAN MISSILES FOR GREEK CYPRIOTS
The Greek Cypriot Administration is launching initiatives to bring the Italian ASPIS-330 missiles to southern Cyprus. These highly developed missiles with a 150-km range are expected to be brought to the island in the forthcoming weeks.

Meanwhile, Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said in a statement regarding the missiles that with a missile agreement made with the Greek Cypriot Administration, Italy was supporting an anti-Turkish policy together with Boris Yeltsin, the Head of the Russian Federation. The Turkish Foreign Ministry officials also warned the Italian government and requested the annulment of the missile order. /Cumhuriyet/

ANNAN: ''BOTH SIDES ON CYPRUS DON'T ABIDE BY THE COUNCIL'S WISHES''
Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General has stated that the two sides on Cyprus aren't complying with the demands made by the Security Council to reduce their military spending and the number of soldiers on the island. Annan said, ''The Greek Cypriot Administration is insistent on the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles despite the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot protests. Annan, who has sent a request to the Security Council for the extension of the deployment of the peace force on the island, noted that the Greek Cypriot Administration would abandon their missile project if a development was achieved in negotiations for the solution to the Cyprus problem or for a total disarmament on the island. /Cumhuriyet/

RED CRESCENT CELEBRATES ITS 131st ANNIVERSARY

The Kizilay, the Turkish Red Crescent Association, is celebrating its 131st anniversary. Kemal Demir, the Kizilay General Director, held a press conference yesterday to mark the occasion and discuss the group's ongoing projects. Demir told reporters that so far this year Turkey had endured six floods, three landslides, and four earthquakes and, in response to these disasters, the Kizilay had contributed 458.2 billion TL to emergency relief funds. In addition to the money donated for domestic relief, Demir said the fund has given 85 billion TL for humanitarian aid abroad. /All papers/

270 MILLION US DOLLAR WORLD BANK CREDIT
The Executive Board of the World Bank has approved a 270 million US dollar credit to Turkey to be used for beefing-up the capacity of the national energy lines. According to the World Bank officials, the credit will be used in the construction of transformer units and cable conduction lines. The credit, interest free for the first four years, will be paid back in 17 years. /Sabah/

TURKEY TO PRODUCE BUSES IN UZBEKISTAN
The Turkish Koc Corp. and Uzbek Uzavtoprom joint investment will produce buses and lorries in Samarkand. The joint venture capital is declared to be 47.5 million US dollars. Suleyman Urakov, the Deputy Chairman of the venture, said that they aimed to produce 300 vehicles by the end of 1998 and 500 in 1999. He added that after 2000 the number would be increased to four thousand a year. The project will be the second largest vehicle producer in Uzbekistan. /Sabah/

ERCEL: ''STRUGGLE AGAINST INFLATION HAS BEEN STEPPED UP''
Gazi Ercel, the Chairman of the Central Bank, said that they would more strictly apply monetary, rate of exchange and interest policies in the last third of the year to sustain the downward trend in inflation. Ercel, who met with Stanley Fischer, the Deputy Chairman of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Michael Deppler, the European Director of the IMF, last weekend in Istanbul, said that they had already intensified measures to maintain the decrease in inflation. /Sabah/

FOREIGN EXCHANGE FROM HAZELNUT EXPORTS REACHES 879 MILLION US DOLLARS
Turkey obtained a total of 879 million US dollars in foreign exchange from hazelnut exports during the 1997-1998 export season starting on September 1, 1997, it was reported yesterday. Officials from the Black Sea Hazelnut Exporters' Union said that they had exported 193 thousand 991 tons of hazelnuts and that nearly 178 thousand tons of these exports had gone to the European countries. They noted that they expected foreign exchange income would reach one billion US dollars by August 31, 1998, the last day of the 1997-1998 export season.

[10] CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES - PENTAGON WELCOMES AGREEMENT IN THE AEGEAN

Kenneth Bacon, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs of the US Department of Defense, speaking about the issue said that the positive attitude of Turkey and Greece towards Solana's proposals were ''satisfactory and pleasing.''

Bacon said, ''this is a step taken towards stability in the Aegean'' and pointed out that these measures in the Aegean wouldn't make an important effect on the military existence of US in the region.

Bacon said that these positive developments related to the Aegean was the success of the NATO Secretary General.

Solana, within the framework of Confidence Building Measures, carried out secret talks with Turkey and Greece, and announced a while ago that his contacts resulted in positive outcomes.

As an outcome of the agreement reached, the compromise known as the ''Yilmaz-Papulias Agreement'' referring to the Foreign Ministers at that time and dated May 27, 1988, will be implemented.

The US administration feels concern about a hot clash that may erupt between Turkey and Greece, the two Allies, at a time when the NATO is expanding.

Javier Solana has been expending intense efforts to realize the Confidence Building Measures between Turkey and Greece since he became the NATO Secretary General.

[11] BILATERAL CONTACTS OF ISMET SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF DEFENCE, IN BRUSSELS

Sezgin gave no detailed information about his meeting with Alain Richard, the French Defence Minister. He noted, ''we had official talks before. Our meeting focused on the latest developments in the political and military issues that were taken up at the former meeting.

Responding to the questions of journalists asking whether or not Turkey has taken France on the ''Red list'' after the adoption of the draft resolution concerning the so-called genocide on Armenians by the French Parliament, Sezgin stressed that Turkey put the countries refusing to sell weapons to her onto this list. He said, ''Turkey's attitude concerning the mentioned draft law is clear. I hope that the French Senate will refuse this unfair and wrong decision''.

Sezgin came together with David Tevzadze, his Georgian counterpart, after his meeting with Richard. He described the meeting as very productive, adding ''we stressed the importance of stability, peace and security in the Caucasus at the meetings. Turkey will maintain cooperation with Georgia not only in the military and defence industry fields, but also on the economy, policy and culture.''

Thanking Turkey for her support, Tevzadze reminded that the clashes continue in his country, and added that the security of Georgia will help the security in the region.

Sezgin also held talks with Lazar Kitanoski, the Macedonian Defence Minister. The meeting of the two defence ministers focused on the initiative aimed at setting up a Southeastern Europe Multi-national Peace Force.

[12] ALLEGATIONS THAT PIECES OF THE S-300 MISSILE ARE INSTALLED - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''WE HAVEN'T RECIEVED INFORMATION''

The Foreign Ministry official speaking to the A.A correspondent said they haven't received any information in this respect. ''Turkey follows the S- 300 missiles very closely,'' he added.

A news report issued on Friday in a daily newspaper, based on high ranking diplomatic and military sources, said that five radar equipment and missile control panels as well as three Russian expert delegations had arrived at the Greek Cypriot side.

The Foreign Ministry official, speaking about the decision of the Russian National Council to postpone the coming of the S-300 missiles to the island to November or December, said ''nothing has changed for us. Turkey's position is clear. Our attitude towards the S-300 missiles is open.''

Yannakis Kasulides, the Greek Cypriot administration Foreign Minister said there was no decision to postpone the deployment of the S-300 missiles on the island.

[13] TURKEY TO BECOME HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF THE NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE

Sezgin said that it was very important that the Turkish Chief of General Staff will take over this assignment on the 50th anniversary of the NATO.

Turkey will take over the Military Committee Honorary Chairmanship from Spain on July 1 and will turn over it to Britain on July 1, 1999.

[14] HIKMET CETIN, SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT IN SWEDEN - CETIN MEETS WITH HIS SWEDISH COUNTERPART BRIGIDDA DAHL

Noting that Dahl is concerned with the problems of human rights and democracy in Turkey, Cetin said, ''We aim to achieve the highest standard on human rights and democracy. Turkey has been struggling against terrorism for a long time. Her struggle depends on the respect of human rights and laws.''

Cetin stressed that the relations between the Turkish and Swedish Parliaments should be improved, offering to set up a friendship group between the Parliaments of the two countries.

Reminding that the decision against Turkey taken at the Luxembourg Summit was also discussed at the meeting, Cetin added, ''Turkey doesn't accept such a differentiation. She will never become a second class member of the European organisations. We want to be a self-respecting, equal and rightful member of Europe. With or without the European Union, Turkey is following the principles of Ataturk, the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, and maintaining her important place among the countries.''

Emphasizing that the Kurdish problem isn't a problem of a minority, Cetin noted that this point of view is caused from a lack of information. He added, ''the Republic of Turkey is a citizenship republic. People from different nationalities and groups form the republic under the umbrella of Turkish citizenship.''

Meanwhile Cetin also received Yasar Pektas, the Chairman of the Turkish- Swedish Workers' Association Federation.

The problems of the Turkish workers living in Sweden were discussed at the meetings. Pektas noted that Sweden wants the Turkish people applying for Swedish citizenship, to renounce their Turkish citizenship. He also requested a regulation for the Turkish people living abroad to vote easily in the elections.

[15] SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF DEFENCE, RETURNS TO TURKEY - SEZGIN: - ''TURKEY HAS SPECIAL CONCERN FOR THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BALKANS''

Addressing the journalist at the Ataturk Airport, Sezgin pointed out that the developments in Kosovo can spread to the other Balkan countries, Sezgin noted that Turkey will take part in the activities of the NATO that will be held in the region.

He added, ''we decided that the NATO should hold urgent air manoeuvres in Albania and Macedonia with the approval of these two countries. I defended at the meetings that the Turkish people and the other ethnic groups living in Kosovo should also be represented at the solution consultations along with the Albanians and Serbians.''

Sezgin responded to a journalist asking ''Can the NATO's decision concerning the manoeuvres be described as an interference?'' as ''Yes, it can be described as an interference.''

[16] UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON CYPRUS - PLUMER: ''GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE'S LIES ARE DISCOVERED''

Speaking to the A.A correspondent about the report, Plumer said that the report was disproving the propaganda which the Greek Cypriot side wanted to make at the international platforms against Turkey and the TRNC.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General included in the report for the first time the complaints stemming from the embargo imposed on the TRNC. The related paragraph of the report reiterated the view that the daily life in the TRNC, extending from voyage to trade, sports to tourism, was affected by the embargo and stressed that lifting of the embargo was a must if they wanted to create an atmosphere of confidence between the sides.

[17] 56 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN UZUNKOPRU

The police stopped a lorry for a control and captured 56 Iraqis who were hidden under the canvas of the lorry. They were later taken into custody for violating the Turkish borders and the passport law.

Officials said that the Iraqis will be deported once the legal proceedings are completed.

The investigation concerning the incident is underway.

[18] DANISH HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN TURKEY - ''WE ARE DEEPLY SORRY ABOUT THE ARMED ATTACK ON AKIN BIRDAL''

Addressing a press conference in the association, Anker Jongensen, the former Prime Minister of Denmark, Klaus Slavensky from the Danish Human Rights Center, and Inge Geneffe from the Council for the Rehabilitation of People Exposed to Torture, expressed their deep sorrow about the armed attack on Akin Birdal, the Chairman of the Human Rights Association.

Slavensky pointed out that human rights conditions in Turkey are getting better. Slavensky added, ''the Turkish people can discuss the issues such as democracy, human rights and torture now and some deputies struggle for human rights in the Parliament.''

The Danish delegation will join the opening ceremony of Diyarbakir Branch of the IHD tomorrow.

[19] NATO-PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE MANEUVER - COOPERATIVE PARTNER-98 MANEUVER TO BE REALIZED IN WESTERN BLACK SEA

Amphibious boats, destroyers, frigates, assault boats, mine search ships, helicopters, naval and air planes, hunter and hunter bombing planes from France, the US, Italy, Britain, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, the Ukraine, Georgia and Turkey will participate in the maneuvers.

Various naval training and humanitarian aid activities to improve cooperation between the NATO and Partnership for Peace countries will be held in the maneuver where Turkey will participate with one frigate, three mine search ships and two assault boats.

The attending ships will gather in Romania's Constanta Harbour on June 14.

[20] LOAN FROM THE WORLD BANK TO TURKEY - THE LOAN OF 270 MILLION US DOLLARS WILL BE USED TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE ELECTRICITY NETWORK

The officials from the World Bank told the A.A correspondent that the loan will be used to increase capacity of the electrcity network and to perform the reforms in the energy field.

The project will cost 502 million US dollars. The Turkish Electricity Corporation (TEAS) will cover the 232 million US dollars part of the total cost. The loan of the World Bank that is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (libor) will be repaid within 17 years.

[21] BASESGIOGLU, MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR RETURNS TO TURKEY - ''TURKEY RECORDED SUCCESS IN STRUGGLE AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING''

Basesgioglu, who participated in the ''UN Struggle Against Drugs Special Session'' staged in New York, said at the Ataturk Airport on his return that the struggle against drugs is the primary goal of all countries.

Basesgioglu said that when addressing the session he pointed out that Turkey recorded great successes in the struggle against drug trafficking, adding '' the drugs seized in Turkey constitute 60 percent of those drugs seized in Europe and 40 percent of those seized in the whole world, this displays the dimensions of our struggle.''

Noting that it was revealed that drug trafficking was linked with international terrorism, and that the separatist terrorist PKK organization played an important role in drug trafficking, Basesgioglu said that the more success recorded against terrorism, then the more success could be recorded in the struggle against drug trafficking.

Basesgioglu pointed out that Turkey was situated on the drug trafficking route and added that during the meeting he requested the Western Countries to be sensitive to the imports and exports of the chemical materials used in heroin production.

Basesgioglu said, ''we regard the issue of fundamentalism as a threat to the basic qualities of the Constitution. We carry out our struggle with determination. We are making our struggle within the principles of the legal state and democracy and respecting human rights''.

ANADOLU AJANSI

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